Preview: Spain Women vs. Zambia Women - prediction, team news, lineups

While La Roja breezed through their opening game against Costa Rica, Zambia suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Japan in their first-ever match at a Women's World Cup.

Match preview

After preparing for the tournament with six successive victories, Spain laid down a marker for Friday's meeting with Costa Rica in Wellington.

La Roja surged into a three-goal lead inside 30 minutes thanks to strikes from Esther Gonzalez and Aitana Bonmati after a Valeria del Campo own goal opened the scoring.

Despite cruising to a comfortable 3-0 win, the margin of victory could have been wider after Jenni Hermoso had a 34th-minute penalty saved and Spain racked up 46 shots and 12 efforts on goal.

Spain could seal their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare if they win and the other match in Group C finishes all square, while a point will be enough if Japan beat Costa Rica.

Jorge Vilda's side carry significant momentum into Wednesday's contest, having scored 24 goals without reply in their last five matches.

Zambia's Women's World Cup debut proved to be a forgettable experience as they fell to a 5-0 loss to Japan without registering a single shot.

The Copper Queens managed to keep the deficit to just one goal at the break, but Japan moved through the gears in the second half to ease to a comfortable victory.

After beginning their World Cup campaign with a disappointing defeat, Zambia are now at risk of being eliminated from the group stage with a game to spare.

They will be knocked out of the tournament with a defeat and a draw in the other group fixture, while a draw will be insufficient if Japan claim all three points.

Having conceded at least three goals in each of their last four internationals, Zambia will need to produce an improved defensive display if they are to remain competitive against Spain.

Spain Women Women's World Cup form:

W

Spain Women form (all competitions):

Zambia Women Women's World Cup form:

L

Zambia Women form (all competitions):

Team News

After missing the majority of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Alexia Putellas was given 14 minutes off the bench in the opening game, as she continues to build up her match fitness.

Putellas is likely to feature among the substitutes once again, with Vilda expected to name an unchanged lineup for Wednesday's encounter.

As a result, Gonzalez will continue to lead the line for La Roja, and she will be flanked by Athenea del Castillo and Salma Paralluelo.

Meanwhile, Zambia will be forced into a change in goal, with Catherine Musonda set to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off against Japan.

Eunice Sakala is expected to feature in between the posts, and the goalkeeper could be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Agness Musase and Lushomo Mweemba.

After being provided minimal service in the opening game, Barbra Banda will be hoping to offer a greater goal threat when she leads the line on Wednesday.

Spain Women possible starting lineup:

Misa; Battle, Paredes, Ivana, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Hermoso; Del Castillo, Paralluelo, Gonzalez

Zambia Women possible starting lineup:

Sakala; Belemu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo; S. Banda, Lungu, Katongo; Kundananji, Mapepa, B. Banda

We say: Spain Women 6-0 Zambia Women

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